YOUR CART

I am a Sociology Doctoral Candidate & Research Fellow at Louisiana State University.My research interests fall broadly into the areas of criminology, community, and the social structures —both formal and informal— that connect them. While I have published on a wide range of topics, from health to gentrification to refugee resettlement, my core focus and research remain on contextual factors and disadvantaged populations' contact with the criminal justice system. I specialize in quantitative and spatial methods to investigate these topics.

I received my B.A. in Sociology (Criminology emphasis) and Psychology (Experimental Research) from the University of Montana. I received my M.A. from LSU​ with my thesis focusing on institutionally-disengaged youth, social capital, and homicide. My dissertation builds upon this dynamic between social structure and crime through my exploration into the relationships between collective resources and recidivism at the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels. I have published manuscripts in Social Science Research, Crime & Delinquency, Delinquent Behavior, PLOS One, and Perspectives on Global Development and Technology.

I served on Louisiana's Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a grant in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice from 2014 to 2018. We created processes to assess risk factors and criminogenic & non-criminogenic needs. Our tools help identify and provide treatments/services to returning citizens in order to help them successfully reintegrate into their home communities. Following the grant, Louisiana's Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DPS&C) hired me on in a consulting capacity. My ongoing work with DPS&C has revolved around maintaining the Risk/Needs assessments and expanding the focus of the Needs Assessments and Treatment Pathways for other groups.

I am an active mentor for incoming graduate students (and beyond!) in my graduate department, truly enjoying building connections and guiding/preparing them for research, access, and academia. I also serve as an ad hoc reviewer for City & Community, Deviant Behavior, Criminal Justice & Behavior, and Social Problems.

I was recently awarded both the LSU Graduate School Dissertation Year Fellowship for 2019-2020 and the Roland J. Pellegrin Outstanding Graduate Student Award. I am also honored to be nominated for the LSU Alumni Association Teaching Award for 2019.